04-27-2011, 05:20 PM
>>I agree that it's about values, people who care about the health of the entire ecosystem v. those who care only about what humans want. It's pretty clear-cut.
Not a fair representation of the diverse views that exist. So no, it's not that clear-cut.
9% of the population? Not a big deal. Don't say again that the population is barely viable, because PhD biologists don't agree with you (and neither does the population trend).
One issue that is accepted without question is that predators "cull the weak". Consider that a large percentage of the weak are young animals. They are weak in physical strength, but not genetically. Same with the older animals (physically weak, but not genetically weak). When the older animals no longer breed, they may take some of the resources that could be used by breeding animals, etc., but the effect is not at all devastating. Not to mention that most prey (like the ungulates) are so devoid of genetic variability (genetically homogenous), I'm not sure there is tons of poor genetics to cull.
At any rate, the ecosystem is such a mess, adding the wolf may be a step in the right direction, but unfortunately it's not a significant step. The damage already done (and being done) completely overshadows it, which I believe makes it more of a symbolic issue than a real one. Development is by far the most serious threat to what remains of our "wilderness". kj.
Not a fair representation of the diverse views that exist. So no, it's not that clear-cut.
9% of the population? Not a big deal. Don't say again that the population is barely viable, because PhD biologists don't agree with you (and neither does the population trend).
One issue that is accepted without question is that predators "cull the weak". Consider that a large percentage of the weak are young animals. They are weak in physical strength, but not genetically. Same with the older animals (physically weak, but not genetically weak). When the older animals no longer breed, they may take some of the resources that could be used by breeding animals, etc., but the effect is not at all devastating. Not to mention that most prey (like the ungulates) are so devoid of genetic variability (genetically homogenous), I'm not sure there is tons of poor genetics to cull.
At any rate, the ecosystem is such a mess, adding the wolf may be a step in the right direction, but unfortunately it's not a significant step. The damage already done (and being done) completely overshadows it, which I believe makes it more of a symbolic issue than a real one. Development is by far the most serious threat to what remains of our "wilderness". kj.